Norway bans Russian vessels from ports, but excludes fishing boats

Norway is banning Russian flagged vessels from docking at its ports as part of a new range of sanctions in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Fishing vessels, however, are exempt from the ban and will be allowed to dock as normal for commercial and research purposes.

The fishing vessel exemption takes into account the need for sustainable management of common fish stocks and marine ecosystems, search and rescue cooperation and Norway's international law obligations under the Svalbard Treaty.

"It is important to us, that's one thing, but for the entire fisheries cooperation between Norway and Russia, this is of greater importance," he said.

"It would not be so easy to continue fishing cooperation with Russia if Norwegian ports were closed to Russian fishing boats."

The ban takes effect May 7 and covers ships over 500 gross tons that sail commercially in international traffic, yachts and some pleasure craft and recreational vessels. The ban is being implemented for ports on mainland Norway.

A ban on Russian road transport was also included in the new package of sanctions.

"A ban on port calls for Russian vessels and a ban on road transport for Russian transport companies could mean consequences for the flow of goods between Norway and Russia and for individual actors in the business community," said Norway Minister of Fisheries Bjornar Skjaeran.

The ban on freight transport by road will apply to transport companies established in Russia takes effect immediately.